The phase to really focus on, particularly in the south is that of the emerger. Trout will accept an emerger when feeding on duns, but will rarely take a dun when locked onto emergers.
Trout can expect to see these at any point of the day, and will often respond favourably to a wee emerger, even when feeding on larger prey items. Remember this.
After, say the first week of the cicada season many rivers have been hit hard by anglers wandering upstream and thrashing the water to foam. You can guess what they are all using... Big size 8 type terrestrials.
Now I dont think trout look at individual patterns like we do, rather the prey images they project whilst trapped in / on the surface.
Think of the myriad of spent spinner imitations on sale in south island flyshops. some are bright, some are dull, some sport striped abdomans whilst some are just plain dubbed. What if all the trout sees is this prey image here...
Any of the above patterns would work, as long as it was of the correct size, threw out the right silouhette and sat low in the surface, drifting at the mercy of the currents.
Needless to say, if you were using a stimulator, I was using a madam x, and the next guy was using a deer hair cicada, from the trouts viewpoint, he would really just see three of pretty much the same thing. Now this isnt the problem.
Problem comes when the trout has been spooked a few times by improper presentation of these large terrestrial bugs, and now looks very carefuly at similar food items in the drift. Remember, most anglers in feb will be throwing these large terrestrial types. Not all these anglers wil be adept enough at casting long leaders and big dries, particularly on the oreti.... Think a lot of suspicious trout.
This is where the wee emerger comes into play.
This often encountered, inconspicuous prey image will not arouse the same suspicion as the large prey image of the cicada that has now been seen many times dragging across the surface, slapped down inapropriatly, or attached to that long bendy thing being held by that 2 legged creature with the net.
This past feb I confidently fished a wee deer hair emerger throughout the summer season and had one of the best cicada seasons ever.... on a wee mayfly! You'll be amazed how far a cicada munchng trout wil move to hit a wee size 16 emerger in the meniscus, with very few refusals
Tie your emerger so that the abdoman penetrates the surface film, for this I feel is one of the major triggers of an emerging mayfly. A curved hook, or a forward slanting wing would do it.
Think messy and non descript when designing the fly, for an emerger doesnt just represent one stable form. Wings are unfolding, legs are flailing, and the adult is trying to rid himself of its expendeble nymphal shuck. The emerging mayfly presents many, many ever changing prey images, so try and imitate this in your tie.
Pictured is my wee emerger pattern, which seems to work for me in most situations where trout are looking towards the surface.... even when willow grubbing! Its not the be all or end all of mayfly representations, but is simple and quick to tie,possesses what I feel are the essential triggers, and is as durable as you wish to make it.
I dont think colour is a major factor. If the size, silouhette, position in the surface film and behaviour is in line with the natural, you've got him!
Remember the wee emerger whenever a 'difficult' trout is encountered.
Hope this post helps.
Chris
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Jax
Jax
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